[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 127 (Thursday, July 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through GPO
HONORING THE SELMA 15U ALL STAR BASEBALL TEAM
______
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 27, 2017

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the
Selma 15U All Star baseball team for winning the 2017 Dixie Baseball
World Series. It has been 45 years since a team paraded the World
Series trophy through the streets of my hometown, Selma, Alabama, but
this losing streak finally came to an end on Sunday, July 23, in
Independence, Louisiana.
After falling short of winning last year's title, the team was ready
for a taste of redemption. In a hard fought, 8-3 win against
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the Selma 15U All Stars secured their place
in history and brought home the gold. An enthusiastic crowd of family
and community members was waiting to welcome their hometown champions
back to Selma.
The team is comprised of 14 boys: Dione Allen, Alex Colquitt, Tevin
Craig, Matthew Davis, Trovonn Davis, Joseph Estes, Xavier Green, Jeremy
Lee Jr., Amarion Molette, Octavious Palmer, Jacob Peavy, George Turner,
Milam Turner, and Richard Allen Waters.
They come from a combination of Dallas County High School,
Meadowview Christian Academy, Morgan Academy, and Selma High School.
Built on a foundation of diversity, this team showcases what can happen
when communities are united in a common cause. Through their hard work
and dedication, these boys displayed what it means to be a leader in
their communities. Selma is often portrayed as a city lacking in
opportunities for civic engagement, but the Selma 15U All Stars is a
direct antithesis to this misguided characterization.
The man behind this remarkable group of young men is Head Coach
Ricky Waters. I had the great privilege of going to grade school with
Ricky in our hometown of Selma. I know that this victory is of special
importance to him since he took the field against the same opponent,
Hattiesburg, at the Dixie Baseball World Series when he was a player,
38 years ago. Although Ricky's time at bat ended in a loss, he was able
to lead this team of Selma 15U All Stars to victory in 2017. Ricky,
along with Coaches Richard Davis, Jake Peavy, and Jason Foti, created a
winning team of boys that everyone in Alabama should be proud of.
As every sports fan knows, behind every great team is an even
greater community. A raucous crowd of over 100 cheering fans and the
blaring sirens of police cars and firetrucks welcomed the team of
champions home. It was a bright day for Selma as the city came together
to celebrate these young athletic ambassadors and their competitive
triumph.
This extraordinary group of young men and their dedicated coaches
are a shining example of the positive impact sports can have on a
community. I am proud to represent these local heroes, and I ask my
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 2017 Dixie Baseball
World Series champions, the Selma 15U All Star Baseball Team.
Congratulations.
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